Shattered Throne

Chapter 3

Julian

The walls of the palace corridor are a deep royal blue, oddly going against the flamboyant Calore colors. They must have been painted just in preparation for Iris. Oh, how different the way things have turned out now. 

I move swiftly, careful to keep a consistent pace.

The note that had been placed in Mare's room told her to meet in the library, in the middle of the "M" shelves, promptly preceding dinner. Assuming she will go right there, I cannot be late and leave her waiting for too long.

After contemplating on who I could trust, I told Sarah and she persuaded me to tell Mare. I decided there was no better way to inform her and get her attention by an open ended, vague letter, similar to the ones the Scarlet Guard is so infamous for leaving.

Of course, I could have just told her straight out, but the library is a safe space that is rarely inhabited, besides me obviously, and no one must see her reaction or have any knowledge of the conversation.

The cameras that had been previously installed by Elara have been removed, thankfully. I had always known they were there, and just had to be careful.

I reach the library, and as I predicted, Mare was waiting right where was instructed, and judging from her body language she was anxious.

She is busy studying her nails, so I clear my throat to get her attention.

"Wait, it's just you Julian?" She speculates, surprised which is not uncalled for.

"Hello Mare, just me, sorry to disappoint if you had thought a new rebellion was brewing. But I do have a very important matter to discuss, if you will let me."

"Wow, and here I thought you were secretly best friends and a coworker to Davidson."  As if I would participate in the harsh politics of the Guard.  She smirks, but then smiles. "Yeah, what is it you want to talk about?  Please don't tell me that all new bloods have an expiration date or something crazy like that", she chuckles.

"Here, let's go sit down." I lead Mare over to a long table, meant to seat many. I take another glance, scanning through the tall brooding shelves

"Julian I already checked, there is no one here." If she can already sense my unease, this is not looking so great.

"Does Cal know that you are here?"

"No, I did as the note said, 'tell no one'.  Some might say that I have a little experience in the whole secret thing if you weren't aware".

"Yes, yes I know, just wanted to make sure."

Cal is the one person who, on no means what so ever can find out until I am sure it will work. It would be cruel to fuel him with anymore false hope.  At first, that was why I was hesitant in telling Mare, but she is strong enough to handle anything it seems after all she has been through.

Plus, I need her help.

Mare

I sit in the hard-oak chair, letting Julian's words flow through me. I am dazed, not really able to fully process, what he is saying. So many questions bombarding my mind.

Maven is still alive?

But wait, he kind of isn't?

Julian is the one that kind of saved him?

He might not ever wake up?

There is so much I want to know, need to know, but all I can do is sit and listen to Julian talk. I am truly shocked, unable to say anything.

The teacher side of Julian emerges, and he explains how Cal and he were the ones who found Maven and I both unconscious, lying in water along with blood, red and silver. Having had the idea in the back of his mind, he couldn't help himself in the situation. Cal had rushed to me, and Julian checked on Maven. He announced to Cal that he was dead, probably killed by me and injected Maven with a mixture he had made that would prolong his insensate state and spark his healing process.

Cal, having been way past his breaking point, thinking I might also be dead, gave no real attention to Julian or his brother in that moment. And in Julian's words, "was just focused on saving you."

He then goes on to explain how he told Cal he was going to move the body to a safer space, fully aware that a part of Cal still loved his younger brother. Both being frankly aware of what the soldiers and townspeople would do if they caught sight of it, he knew Cal wouldn't want that for him. Julian then carried the lifeless Maven cautiously so he wouldn't be seen, to a laboratory type room off of his study that know one, to his knowledge, knows about.

Julian's voice drowns my ears, and I struggle to pay attention.

"And that's when I found the serum, but again there are no guarantees of it working, or the effects it might have"

"Mare?"

"Mare?" he says more forcefully, expecting a response. "Do you understand?'

"Yes?" I say uneasy.

Part of me is utterly terrified by the single fact that he is not truly dead. The monster I feared everyday had been gone. I was relieved that he could never come back to hurt me, or anyone.

Fury towards Julian brews. He completely destroyed what I did. What took me so long to finally do, all for nothing, wasted effort.

Another side of me, the one that I constantly chastise and suppress, is the single cause for the butterflies forming inside of me. They are feeding off of one simple fact. The boy I loved, wished, and needed to be true, might have a chance at coming back.